My Unlimited Journey

One of the key things that happens with The Bridge and Youth Unlimited is taking action for a youth. A cool thing happened on Friday. A youth came in and through conversation with one of the volunteer staff, it came out that their washing machine was broken and they had to wash everything by hand. Several minutes later, this volunteer shared the story with me and I knew where a washing machine was in storage. So, we talked with the youth again and two days later, another volunteer and I showed up at their house. Her mom and this youth were very pleased of this need being met.

A great team of volunteers is emerging as the Bridge continues to develop. This Friday, Feb 1st, we are opening for two different age groups. For ages 10-14 from 3:30pm till 6:00pm and for ages 14-22 from 8:00-10:30pm. It is exciting to be working with more great people. Final preparations and interviews are happening this week. God is great and continues to provide. Please let Jamie know if you want to get involved.

We are blessed her at the Bridge and God is preparing this place. The Bridge is a safe place to connect with youth. New youth are showing up on a regular basis and the excitement is spreading. We continue to ask “what is the greatest felt need?” Lots of ideas are flowing. An excitement for an arts program, march break program, sports. I have been seeing lots of need for young mom’s, housing, and jobs for many of the youth.

The Bridge is a safe place on a Friday night. I see the youth settle in and call it home. We were just blessed with some great new pool cues and a set of new pool balls. The first night with these, two girls commented that it was great quality and played pool most of the night.

The Bridge Youth Centre continues to grow and develop. Today, someone gave us the money to purchase new pool cues. We are also moving forward to offering two drop-in programs. After school till 6pm for younger youth aged 10-14 and 8:00-10:30pm for older youth aged 14-22. More volunteers have been trained and are ready to get going. Great things are happening. We are also getting other community groups interested in partnering with us.

Friday night was enegetic. We had a line of youth waiting to come in 20 minutes before we opened. So great to listen to the buzz as we set up and took time to pray. We ended up with 20 youth coming out tonight. Great relationships are being formed with the volunteer staff. The other cool part was an interview I had with the communicator. He even took time to interview some of the youth. That made the youth’s night.

We have lots to give praise for and look forward to offer more to the youth of Haliburton Highlands. We are looking to have 2 age groups on Fridays. Age 10-14 after school till 6pm and then age 14-22 from 8-10:30pm.

Tonight is our first night of 2008 and lots has been happening. As word is getting out there, lots of people are offering help. Just received a bag full of PS2 games and someone is giving us funds to purchase new pool cues. This is all good, but the exciting part is people coming forward to volunteer. It is the key part of what we do, getting people trained so they can interact and build friendships with the youth that come through the doors each time I am excited to reconnect with many after being away for a few weeks.

The new addition this month is internet hooked up in my office at the Bridge Youth Centre. It is so great having my office there and being available more often in the school.

I was tallying the names of youth that have come through the doors of the Bridge in the six weeks we have been open and there have been 41 youth. I think this is incredible. As word spreads, more and more youth are checking it out. A second volunteer training is happening on Jan. 12th and we are dreaming about tailoring to 2 age groups at different times. This will require 2 teams of 4-5 for 2 shifts. I am excited of what is happening.